Egg-case.



No. 644,808. Patented Mar. 6, |900. J. M. SHARP.

EG G C A S E (Application fled Sept. 25, 1899. N n Nl o d el :E I I...

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Nrrn STATES,

Arent Frio.

EGG-'CASE SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,808, dated March 6, 1900.

Application filed September 25, 1899. Serial No. 731,623. (No model.)

ing tested without removing the same from the case, and at the same time protects the s eggs against being broken. i

Furthermore, it is designed to provide a light and-durable case, so that a plurality thereof may be packed in a single crate for transportation, and in the retail trade the case may be sold with the eggs, thereby obviating the handling of the individual eggs and affording a convenient carrier for the buyer.

To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described,shown in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the form, proportions, size, and the minor details of construction maybe made within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of an egg-case constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 2.

Corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings are designated by like characters of reference.

Referring to the accompanying drawings it will be seen that the preferred form of the case is substantially oblong, having the opposite wooden ends l, the bottom and longitudinal sides being formed from a single sheet of cardboard, strawboard, or the like material 2, which is fitted flush against the lower edges of the end pieces and is bent upwardly against the opposite side edges thereof and secured thereto by means of suitable fastenings 5. By this formation a light and durable case is provided which has an open upper side. The bottom is provided with aplurality of openings 4, preferably twelve in number, so as to expose the eggs to View, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Located within the body of the case is a horizontal egg-supporting partition 5, which is also formed of cardboard or strawboard, like the bottom and sides of the case, and has its peripheral edges bent downward to form foot-flanges 6, which rest upon the bottom of the case and support the partition a suitable distance above the same. It will be understood that the partition ts snugly the inner walls of the case, so not to have a lateral movement therein. Alined directly above each opening et in the bottom of the case is an opening 7 in the partition, formed by producing radial incisions which provide pointed radial fingers S, and the latter are pressed downward through the opening, as shown. As best indicated in Fig. 2, it will be seen that a flexible strip 9 of cloth or other suitable material is connected to the outer side of one longitudinal foot-fiange 6 and 'extends the entire length thereof. This strip is wider than the flange, extends upwardly to the top of the side of the case, and is glued or otherwise secured to the inner side thereof near the top. Also the adjacent side of the ease is bent inwardly, as at l0, over the top edge of the iieXible strip, so as to form an additional fastening therefor. The bent portion 10 is preferably fastened in place by a pair of spring-clips ll, which embrace the bend. By this arrangement a flexible or hinged connection is provided between the partition and the side of the case, so that the partition may be drawn upward and folded over at one side of the case to facilitate the cleaning of the interior of the latter.

As best shown in the sectional views of the drawings, it will be noted that the eggs l2 are seated in the openings 7 in the partition 5, with the points extending downward, ernbraced. by the pointed fingers S and terminating short of the bottom of the case. To hold the eggs in place, there is provided a hinged cover 13, which is provided with openings 14, fitting the upper ends of the respective eggs, but smaller than the eggs, so as to prevent the latter from being displaced therethrough.

IOO

This cover is also of the same material as the bottom 'of the case and the partition, fits snugly the interior of the case, and has one longitudinal edge bent upward, as at l5, and is hinged to the adjacent side of the case by means of a flexible strip 1G, which embraces the bent portion and also the side of the case, as shown in Fig. 2. It will be noted that the bent portion 15 locates the cover below the top of the case, so as to rest upon the tops of the eggs, and the free edge of the cover is adapted to be forced beneath the lower edge of the bent portion 10 of the adjacent side of the case, so as to hold the cover against being accidentally opened or disengaged from the eggs.

To provide for ventilation, suitable openings 17 are formed through the opposite longitudinal sides of the case and located intermediate of the partition and the cover.

When the eggs are placed in the present case, they are effectively held against accidental movement and at the same time may be readily removed for use. Also, by .reason of the openings in the bottom, the partition, and the cover being alined, the case may be held up to the light, so as to test the eggs without removing them individually from the case.

The material of which the different parts of the case is formed maybe varied and may be cardboard, strawboard, or other material, and at times it may be more convenientl and practicable to make the case in one piece and without joints.

Having thus described the invention,what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An egg-case,havingahoriZontalegg-supporting partition, hinged to one side of the case, and foldable to the exterior thereof,and a cover, fitting snugly the tops of the eggs, hinged to the opposite side of the case, and also foldable to the exterior thereof, substantially as shown and described.

2. An egg-case, having an egg-supporting partition, a cover hinged to one side of the case, and fitting snugly the tops of the eggs, and a shoulder provided upon the inner face of the opposite side of the case, fitting against the outer side of the frce edge of the cover and holding the latter in place, substantially as shown and described.

An egg-case, having the upper edge of one side bent inwardly and forming a shoulder, an egg-supporting partition located within the interior of the case, and a cover, lo-

-eated between the partition and the shoulder,

fitting snugly the tops of the eggs, and hinged to one side of the case opposite the shoulder, the free edge of the cover engaging the shoulder, when said cover is in use, substantially as shown and described.

4. An egg-case, having one edge bent inwardly and forming a shoulder, spring-clips embracing the bent edge, an egg-supporting partition, and a cover hinged to one side of the case, and having its free edge engaging the shoulder, in the closed position of the cover, substantially as shown and described.

5. An egg-case, having one edge bent inwardly and forming a shoulder, an egg-supporting partition, a flexible strip having one edge secured to the partition, and its opposite edge secured to the adjacent side of the case, between the latter and the folded edge thereof, a hinged cover fitting snugly the eggs, and having its free edge engaging the shoulder, in the closed position of the cover, substantially as shown and described.

6. An egg-case, comprising opposite wood en end pieces, a bottom and opposite sides formed from a single sheet of cardboard or the like fastened to the edges of the end pieecs,thc upper edge o'f one side being bent inwardly to form a shoulder, an egg-supa porting partition formed of the same material as the bottom and sides of the case, having its peripheral edges bent downwardly forming foot-lianges resting upon the bottom of the case, a flexible strip secured to one flange of the partition and to the adjacent side of the case contiguous to the bent portion thereof, a cover fitting snugly the tops of the eggs, and having one edge bent upwardly opposite the bent portion of the side of the case, and. a fiexible strip embracing the bent portion of the cover and the adjacent side of the case, and forming a hinge for the cover, the free edge of the latter engaging the under side of the bent portion of the ease, when the cover is in use,substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. SHARP.

Witnesses:

W. H. ALLEN, S. l-I. HALLISTER. 

